Do you know what to do in the event of a car crash? We break down the legal responsibilities of Ohio drivers after an accident.
If you’re driving a vehicle in Ohio, it’s critical that you understand the law and react properly at the scene of the collision.
In this article, we’ll discuss Ohio’s laws related to car accidents and outline your legal duties if you get into a crash. For more information, you can also read Chapter 4549 of the Ohio Motor Vehicle Code.
1. Ohio Driver Exchange of Information Law
Under Ohio Law, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you must immediately stop at the scene. You must provide your name, address, and the registered number of the vehicle, as well as the name and address of the vehicle’s owner if the car you are driving isn’t yours.
You must share this information with anyone who was injured as a result of the accident, the occupants and owners of any vehicles damaged in the collision, and any police officers present at the scene.
If an injured person is not in the condition to receive your information, you must contact the police about the accident and wait at the scene until a police officer arrives.
In the case of a motor vehicle accident, the operator of the motor vehicle immediately shall stop the operator’s motor vehicle at the scene of the accident or collision.
The operator shall remain until the operator has given the operator’s name and address and, if the operator is not the owner, the name and address of the owner of that motor vehicle, together with the registered number of that motor vehicle, to all of the following:
- Any person injured in the accident or collision;
- The operator, occupant, owner, or attendant of any motor vehicle damaged in the accident or collision;
- The police officer at the scene of the accident or collision.
In the event an injured person is unable to comprehend and record the information required to be given, the other operator shall notify the nearest police authority concerning the accident, and the operator’s name, address, and the registered number of the motor vehicle. The operator shall remain at the scene until a police officer arrives, unless removed from the scene by an emergency vehicle operated by a political subdivision or an ambulance.
2. Ohio Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
Ohio law does not include a duty to render aid when someone gets hurt in a car accident. However, you must give your personal details to anyone the crash injures.
The operator shall remain at the scene of the accident or collision until the operator has given the operator’s name and address and, if the operator is not the owner, the name and address of the owner of that motor vehicle, together with the registered number of that motor vehicle, to any person injured in the accident or collision.
3. Ohio Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
In Ohio, you must notify the police immediately if you are involved in a car accident that injures someone to the point that they cannot understand and record your information. You then must wait at the scene until a police officer arrives.
There may also be additional local crash reporting requirements, so it’s always best to contact the local police after an accident.
In the event an injured person is unable to comprehend and record the information required to be given, the other operator shall notify the nearest police authority of the accident. The operator shall remain at the scene of the accident or collision until a police officer arrives, unless removed from the scene by an emergency vehicle operated by a political subdivision or an ambulance.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Ohio?
If you fail to report or stop at the scene of an accident in Ohio as required by law, you can be convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor. However, if the crash injured or killed someone, you can be charged with various levels of felony offenses.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of failure to stop after an accident. Except as otherwise provided, failure to stop after an accident is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
If the accident or collision results in serious physical harm to a person, failure to stop after an accident is except as otherwise provided, a felony of the fifth degree. If the offender knew that the accident or collision resulted in serious physical harm to a person, a felony of the fourth degree.
If the accident or collision results in the death of a person, failure to stop after an accident is, except as provided, a felony of the third degree. If the offender knew that the accident or collision resulted in the death of a person, a felony of the second degree.
4. Ohio Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
According to Ohio law, you must always stop at the scene of a crash, even if there are no injuries involved. You then must provide your personal details to anyone driving or riding in a damaged vehicle and any police officers investigating the accident.
Likewise, if a collision damages real estate or any personal property attached to real estate, you must locate the owner, provide your information, and show them your driver’s license if they ask to see it.
In the case of a motor vehicle accident, the operator of the motor vehicle immediately shall stop the operator’s motor vehicle at the scene of the accident or collision.
The operator shall remain until the operator has given the operator’s name and address and, if the operator is not the owner, the name and address of the owner of that motor vehicle, together with the registered number of that motor vehicle, to all of the following:
- Any person injured in the accident or collision;
- The operator, occupant, owner, or attendant of any motor vehicle damaged in the accident or collision;
- The police officer at the scene of the accident or collision.
The driver involved in an accident resulting in damage to real property, or personal property attached to real property immediately shall stop and take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of the property of that fact, of the driver’s name and address, and of the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving and, upon request and if available, shall exhibit the driver’s or commercial driver’s license.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Ohio?
When you hit a parked vehicle in Ohio, the law requires you to immediately stop at the scene of the collision. Then, you must provide your personal information to the car’s owner if you can find them. If you cannot locate the owner, you can leave your details in a note on the vehicle.
In the case of a motor vehicle accident, the operator of the motor vehicle immediately shall stop the operator’s motor vehicle at the scene of the accident or collision.
The operator shall remain until the operator has given the operator’s name and address and, if the operator is not the owner, the name and address of the owner of that motor vehicle, together with the registered number of that motor vehicle, to the operator, occupant, owner, or attendant of any motor vehicle damaged in the accident or collision.
If the accident or collision is with an unoccupied or unattended motor vehicle, the operator who collides with the motor vehicle shall securely attach the information required to be given in this section, in writing, to a conspicuous place in or on the unoccupied or unattended motor vehicle.
Learning about your duties after an auto accident is key to maintaining a safe driving record and avoiding legal consequences. By having a better understanding of Ohio car accident laws, you can ensure you comply with your responsibilities as a driver should you ever find yourself involved in a crash.
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